A Romanian NGO has asked the US Department of State to cancel the American visa for Romanian Social Democratic Party leader Liviu Dragnea and ban him from entering the US, as he is charged or under investigation for corruption.

The NGO Initiativa Romania says it sent a request based on decree 7750 in 2014, issued by the US president.

The decree provides a ban from entering the US for officials who stole public funds or hindered judiciary, electoral or other public policies thus inflicting serious negative effects over the US’ national interest. The NGO argues that Dragnea, who was convicted for electoral fraud and is being investigated for public funds embezzling, abuse of office and money laundry, both in Romania and in Brazil, falls under the scope of the American decree.

“Mr. Liviu Dragnea also started in January 2017 an attack against the state of law and justice, which endanger Romania’s stability and democratic institutions, as well as investigation of trans-national crimes, especially corruption and terrorism,” writes the NGO release.

editor@romania-insider.com